WA Labor leader backs mandatory sentencing

Mr McGowan told a live leaders' debate with WA Premier Colin Barnett on ABC Television that he supported tough measures to deal with crime including mandatory jail terms for people who assaulted police officers.

"I am not opposed to tough measures to people who commit crimes," Mr McGowan said on Tuesday night.

"We support the mandatory sentencing arrangements that Mr Barnett has suggested.

"But you need to do more than that to deal with crime. You need to employ more police officers."

He recently told AAP that he did not support mandatory sentencing in relation to animal cruelty offences as it removed the discretion of the WA judiciary.

Mr Barnett said assaults on police officers had fallen 40 per cent since the law was introduced.